Amuntai, South Kalimantan (Antaranews) - Production of patin (catfish) farming in North Hulu Sungai (HSU) to 2014 reached 70,000 tons. Assuming an average market price of Rp18,000 per kilogram, it then
contributed Rp200 billion revenue.
Head of HSU Fisheries and Livestock Agency, HM Suriani, in Amuntai on Tuesday said the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries saw this potential has granted Rp3,3 billion for various program for minapolitan areas.
The fund, Suriani told, has been used for the manufacture of floating cages, fish cages, fish nets, marsh ponds, sludge suction machines, processing machines fish feed and fish seed.
In addition, the assistance fund also used for the manufacture of a pilot floating cages, fish seed and feed assistance, cost and manufacture RPJM group meetings.
Now the land used for the cultivation of fish in the pond marsh Subdistrict Haur Gading has reached 143 hectares to farmer groups totaling 29.
"Minapolitan area is expected to be a model for other farmers in the district who also wants to develop the cultivation of catfish, tilapia and goldfish ponds in the marsh," said Suriani.
Seeing prospects and development of fish farming in the marsh ponds, the agency is targeting the catfish production in 2015 about 21,000 tons.
The development of aquaculture in the HSU, in addition to improving the lives of the farmers also encourage the provision of animal food, cheap but has a protein and high nutritional value.
While some communities has been processed patin for refined foods such as meatballs bulb, crackers, and other amplang as home-based businesses and small industries.